McLaren dealt 'dominant force' Schumacher warning

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has warned Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri that they need to become a "dominant force" like Michael Schumacher was, in order to become world drivers' champion. 

For the majority of the 2024 season, McLaren opted against prioritising a driver until the closing rounds when Norris had a chance at defeating Max Verstappen. 

However, the decision to treat Norris as a lead driver came too late in the season, with Herbert calling for both drivers to learn from Schumacher, something Max Verstappen has done in his eyes. 

Verstappen is seen as imperious at Red Bull regardless of who partners him, whilst Norris and Piastri come across as equals. 

"Well, from all my experiences, one of those being with Michael Schumacher, Michael Schumacher made sure that he was the dominant force," Herbert told Casinoutanspelpaus.io.

"That was even before you got to the very first race. That's also what Max Verstappen does, he makes sure that whoever his team-mate is, he's in control of his destiny, just his destiny. Is it Red Bull's destiny? A little bit, but it's mainly Verstappen’s. 

"That's what Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have got to do at McLaren. How do McLaren deal with that? Well, they've got to let it blossom itself."

Tough McLaren decision

If Norris or Piastri decide to be more forceful within the team to become the lead driver this year, it would cause an interesting situation for McLaren to deal with. 

Should it happen, then Herbert thinks the Woking-based team would need to let the pair race for the opening races to avoid making a rash decision early in the season. 

However, if either Norris or Piastri continues to dominate after the first few races, then the Briton expects McLaren to favour whoever has the early advantage in pursuit of the drivers' title.

"I think at the beginning of the season, they will allow it to happen because there's no need for them to dictate the result in Australia, China and a couple more races.

"It wouldn’t be good if McLaren showed a one-sidedness straight away and that is where that mental battle starts to come into play. Even if it does start to come into play.

"I know now that I needed to be stronger than I was with Michael Schumacher so that's why I say these things, that strength has to be something that I've learnt from Michael.

"I've seen it from Verstappen but in a different scenario and that is where they've got something in common. It's all about them and trying to win that world drivers' championship. The mental strength is going to be the biggest battle for those top drivers."